Sony premiered the controversial comedy The Interview online Wednesday ahead of releasing it to nearly 300 theaters on Christmas Day.
After initially shelving the film following a hacker attack, the movie studio switched course and debuted it on Google’s (GOOG) YouTube, Google Play, Microsoft (MSFT), Xbox Video and on its own website.
Fortune watched the film, which is based on a silly plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and live-tweeted our impressions along with the circus around the event. What we saw was a juvenile buddy movie that has, oddly, become a monument to free speech.
From the official Twitter (TWTR) account for the film:
https://twitter.com/TheInterview/status/547580314340450304
We watched the film on YouTube (cost: $5.99) without any technical glitches. However, some people reported problems, particularly with mobile streaming.
https://twitter.com/ReeshontheRadio/status/547825585347911681
Here is a rundown of our live-tweeting about the film (don’t bet on it winning any Oscars) and interesting tweets by others:
Watching #TheInterview now for @FortuneMagazine. You can, too, on YouTube, among other sites, at: https://t.co/6K3htH0rvm
— Benjamin Snyder (@WriterSnyder) December 24, 2014
Seamless streaming so far for #TheInterview on @YouTube. Sharp quality, easy to pay, etc. About 15 mins into the movie and no hiccups.
— Benjamin Snyder (@WriterSnyder) December 24, 2014
Waiting for that killer business-related quote from #TheInterview to tweet out. Nothing so far and over 20 minutes in.
— Benjamin Snyder (@WriterSnyder) December 24, 2014
There's a very intense conversation about margaritas and @katyperry in the #TheInterview around minute 55. Just FYI.
— Benjamin Snyder (@WriterSnyder) December 24, 2014
"Why don't you feed your people?" – getting very serious near the 90-minute mark from #TheInterview.
— Benjamin Snyder (@WriterSnyder) December 24, 2014
Minute 100: I think my ears have become completely immune to the sound of machine guns. 19 minutes left. #TheInterview
— Benjamin Snyder (@WriterSnyder) December 24, 2014
Also, I don't think I can ever listen to a @katyperry song the same again. Especially Firework. #TheInterview
— Benjamin Snyder (@WriterSnyder) December 24, 2014
But between machine guns going off incessantly + explosions, there's a cute puppy being held by @JamesFrancoTV. That's cool. #TheInterview
— Benjamin Snyder (@WriterSnyder) December 24, 2014
Interestingly, the cost of renting the film and buying it is much lower than if you view it in theaters:
Re: the cost of renting / buying #TheInterview. Spent just $5.99 for 48 hours. Would've been $14.99 to buy. Cheaper than in theaters by far!
— Benjamin Snyder (@WriterSnyder) December 24, 2014
After receiving my YouTube receipt for #TheInterview, got "you might also like…" "22 Jump Street," "21 Jump Street" and "This is the End."
— Benjamin Snyder (@WriterSnyder) December 24, 2014
James Franco, one of the stars of the film, was elated about the news and tweeted in earnest about its availability online:
https://twitter.com/JamesFrancoTV/status/547820465729699840
Seth Rogen, his co-star, also took to Twitter to apologize that the service was not yet available to his fans in Canada:
CANADIANS! Sincere apologies but #TheInterview is not available 4 u 2 download yet BUT will be soon. We are working on it!
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) December 24, 2014
And after nearly two hours, we signed off:
And with that, my friends, it's a wrap on watching #TheInterview. Check it out. Story coming soon on @FortuneMagazine.
— Benjamin Snyder (@WriterSnyder) December 24, 2014
For more Fortune coverage of The Interview saga, read:
Check out fellow @FortuneMagazine reporter @rhhackett's very smart piece about @SonyPictures from a few days ago: http://t.co/fMg40LtAiD
— Benjamin Snyder (@WriterSnyder) December 24, 2014
Must read: @philiped on @Apple, @SonyPictures and #TheInterview for @FortuneMagazine: http://t.co/hNnFUswta6
— Benjamin Snyder (@WriterSnyder) December 24, 2014
